Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: NAD C740 Receiver by bartc

Model:	C740
Category:	Receiver
Suggested Retail Price:	$599
Description:	Building blocks = C340 & C440
Manufacturer URL:	NAD
Manufacturer URL:	NAD

Review by bartc ( A ) on December 04, 2002 at 15:57:02
IP Address: 66.123.70.161

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for the C740

Fabulous receiver package overall. Style is very basic, but that also means it's neither jewelry for the room nor obtrusive. Though the cover seemed a bit flimsy, its construction and tightness is without fault.

Lots of power in the amp. Great tuner section, particularly FM, which comes is about as cleanly and strong as the signal/distance from the station will permit in my suburban setting with a good external antenna.

Oddly cheesy U pins as jumpers between the Pre and Main on the back. Others have made comments about this, but easy enough to replace with good interconnects. In fact, manufacturer recommended using Y interconnects to best utilize the volume control of the amp with an powered subwoofer - and this works fine and improved the sound ever so slightly from the amp and made the sub work great. No clearly separate sub channel, but several ways to hook one up and more than enough input/output jacks for any setup. Also, A/B speaker outputs, so you can have 2 sets of speakers.

Remote is simple and does the basics. Can be hooked up to a total NAD setup and control all the components too. Unfortunately, I find its IR signal a bit weak and needs to be pointed directly at the amp to work across my living room, while other remotes work in any direction in the same room.

Very great sound - that's most important! Also, its transformer circuitry seems to have tamed my AC/ground hum completely - very quiet in quiet passages. What more could you ask for at this price or twice this price?

Product Weakness: Remote a bit weak on signal
Product Strengths: Sound, simplicity, construction, power

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	NAD C740
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	CDP TEAC 5 disk changer
Speakers:	Energy XL15s
Cables/Interconnects:	Radio Shack golds
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	jazz, classical, world, pop
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 14 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	DIY room lenses
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Radio Shack EMI/RFI outlet filter
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition
Your System (if other than home audition):	home

Product Weakness:	Remote a bit weak on signal
Product Strengths:	Sound, simplicity, construction, power